In an unlikely Grand-daddy of 'em All match-up 11-2 Stanford butts heads with 8-5 Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl New Year's Day in Pasadena (5 pm ET, ESPN).
Early Rose Bowl betting odds were listing the Cardinal, who come in having won four straight games over ranked opponents, including a victory over UCLA in the Pac-12 championship game, as six-point favorites over the Badgers. Wisconsin only went 4-4 in conference play this season but destroyed Nebraska in the Big Ten championship game.
Stanford has covered three straight bowls while the Badgers have lost 4 of 5 SU.
[ More Rose Bowl betting trends, stats and matchup detail - check it out ]
*Editor Note: Stanford DT Terrence Stephens ineligible for the Rose Bowl.
View Wisconsin vs Stanford Odds and Stats.
Betting Line: Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had the Cardinal pegged as 6.5-point favorites in this matchup. The total, meanwhile, was 47.5 in early betting over at Sportsbook. Check out the line moves before kickoff.
Wisconsin Bowl History
Year | Bowl | Team1 | Score | Team2 | Score | Team2Line | ATS win |
1996 | Insight Bowl | Wisconsin | 38 | Utah | 10 | 8 | WISCSN |
1997 | Outback Bowl | Wisconsin | 6 | Georgia | 33 | -8.5 | GEORGI |
1998 | Rose Bowl | Wisconsin | 38 | UCLA | 31 | -9 | WISCSN |
1999 | Rose Bowl | Stanford | 9 | Wisconsin | 17 | 11 | WISCSN |
2000 | Sun Bowl | UCLA | 20 | Wisconsin | 21 | -4.5 | UCLA |
2002 | Alamo Bowl | Colorado | 28 | Wisconsin | 31 | 7 | WISCSN |
2003 | Music City Bowl | Wisconsin | 14 | Auburn | 28 | -3 | AUBRN |
2004 | Outback Bowl | Wisconsin | 21 | Georgia | 24 | -7 | WISCSN |
2005 | Capital One Bowl | Wisconsin | 24 | Auburn | 10 | -10 | WISCSN |
2006 | Capital One Bowl | Wisconsin | 17 | Arkansas | 14 | -2.5 | WISCSN |
2007 | Outback Bowl | Wisconsin | 17 | Tennessee | 21 | -2.5 | TENN |
2008 | Champs Sports Bowl | Wisconsin | 13 | Florida State | 42 | -7 | FLAST |
2009 | Champs Sports Bowl | Wisconsin | 20 | Miami | 14 | -3.5 | WISCSN |
2010 | Rose Bowl | TCU | 21 | Wisconsin | 19 | 3 | WISCSN |
2011 | Rose Bowl | Wisconsin | 38 | Oregon | 45 | -4.5 | OREG |
Stanford Bowl History
Year | Bowl | Team1 | Score | Team2 | Score | Team2Line | ATS win |
1995 | Liberty Bowl | Stanford | 13 | East Carolina | 19 | 3 | E.CAR |
1996 | Sun Bowl | Stanford | 38 | Michigan State | 0 | -8 | STANFO |
1999 | Rose Bowl | Stanford | 9 | Wisconsin | 17 | 11 | WISCSN |
2001 | Seattle Bowl | Georgia Tech | 24 | Stanford | 14 | 6 | GATECH |
2009 | Sun Bowl | Stanford | 27 | Oklahoma | 31 | -10.5 | STANFO |
2010 | Orange Bowl | Virginia Tech | 12 | Stanford | 40 | -3.5 | STANFO |
2011 | Fiesta Bowl | Stanford | 38 | Oklahoma State | 41 | -5 | STANFO |
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Stanford's No. 71-ranked offense (28.5 PPG) against a Badgers defense that ranks No. 19 at 19.1 PPG. The Cardinal passing attack has averaged 203.5 yards per game, more than the Badgers give up through the air (196.5 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Badgers own the league's No. 34-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 137.8 yards per game when on the road. Stanford, on the other hand, rates No. 69 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Wisconsin was a 70-31 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against Nebraska. They covered the 3-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (101) made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors. Nebraska was unable to contain Melvin Gordon in its last action Saturday and the result was a 70-31 Week 14 loss against the Badgers.
Stanford was a 27-24 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against UCLA. They failed to cover the 9.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (51) made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors. The Cardinal grabbed a Week 14 victory over the Bruins in their last game, winning 27-24 at Stanford Stadium.
Wisconsin Badgers Trends:
When playing in January are 4-5
When playing on grass are 4-6
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When an underdog on the road are 2-8
Stanford Cardinal Trends:
When playing in January are 1-2
When playing on grass are 9-1
After being outgained are 10-0
When favored at home are 9-1
A few Badgers at Cardinal trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Wisconsin's last 7 games
Wisconsin is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games
Stanford is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games